November. Can it really be November? Already, it seems, the year has it's last flare of youth in October. In November, the earth folds its hands, hands that have been trained in the lesson of content and waits for that garment of snow.
Episode 241: More than Money →
While in southern Nebraska on a weekend retreat, my daughter called the Little Home on the Prairie from Texas. Thanks to answering machines, she informed me that in their area in Texas, they got their first cold front. The temperature got to a lovely 70 degrees. I also was made aware that Boulder, Colorado had a storm, no school, and in Denver, many of the trees were destroyed because of an ice storm. And my friend in Florida informs me about the challenges their state experiences in Love Bug month. This time traveling back home throughout the heartland of America, I saw many fields not yet ready for harvest that had been damaged by the early frost. It brought back memories of the challenging years that many of us experienced as a child in those years of depression, which now seem to be history.
Episode 239: We Are Survivors →
Recently, one of the readers of this column from Texas sent me an article entitled, "We Are Survivors: Consider the Changes We Witnessed." I thought it appropriate to share some of the thoughts from this article. Individuals who were born prior to 1945 will especially understand the changes in their lives.
Episode 238: Make a Difference Day →
One of the very faithful readers of this Warm Thoughts column recently sent me an article entitled, "You Can Make a Difference." It was an article informing the public to take action on October 26th and make that day a day of caring, a national day to inform us that the Make a Difference Day can help everyone to help others. The sixth annual event, in partnership with the Points of Light Foundation, takes place on October 26th. Mark your calendar!
Episode 220: April Fools & Reconciliation Day →
As I flipped the calendar, I was shocked that it was April already and April Fool's Day. Some of the readers of this Warm Thoughts column will recall the fun we had as children and trying to fool someone on that day, even if we had to lie a bit. It did seem to be permissible for just a day. You tried to fool at least one person. It was just a fun game.
Episode 219: Forever Spring →
Happy Easter! Easter and Spring have arrived. As I write these warm thoughts, it is the week before Easter and there still are some mountains of snow surrounding the little home on the prairie. My grandson, Trevor, who lives in Nebraska and who is spending some special vacation days with his grandma in South Dakota, is overjoyed to make an Easter snowman. Is spring really here in South Dakota? The events following Palm Sunday bring many memories of my past trips to the Holy Land. Walking the Via Dolorosa on the way to Calvary is a memory that often comes to mind not only during Holy Week.
Episode 192: I've Learned... →
Recently, I read a book by H. Jackson Brown Jr. entitled, "Live and Learn and Pass it On." In the book, people ages 5 to 95 share what they have discovered about life, love, and other good stuff. Some of the thoughts are a bit humorous, but somehow we can get the message. I've personally discovered throughout my years that if we really listen, we can learn so much.
Episode 83: Let George Do It →
In the last warm thoughts column, I shared thoughts on the celebration of Presidents Day. Perhaps the first celebration of Presidents Day was in 1782. George Washington's Birthday was first celebrated in that year. The observance took the place of the birthday celebrations of the various sovereigns of Great Britain, which had been customary during colonial times. Services were held at Washington's home in Mount Vernon and at the Washington Monument in the National Capital. Since George Washington was our first president, he was often called the "Father of our Country." I often thought that perhaps, that was the reason the expression, "Let George do it," still is heard at times of confusion and distress. In front of the Federal Building in New York's financial district, stands on bronze statue of Washington. The world has moved on in a dizzying pace since his time. But the figure has not moved in inch.